Firearm



Nov. 14, 1950 R. A. KING 2,529,733

FIREARM Filed Dec. 26, 1947 INVENTOR.

Rufus/1. King BY y A TTORNE Y5 Patented Nov. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FIREARM Rufus A. King, Wichita Falls, Tex.

Application December 26, 1947, Serial No. 793,851

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in firearms and more particularlyto tilting breech superimposed barrel shotguns.

As is well known, firearms of the tilting breech type having superimposed barrels, such as'overand-under shotguns, are preferred by many sportsmen due to the alinement of the bores of the barrels with the sight which renders the same more easily sighted and accurately fired. However, the vertically-alined barrels offer greater cross-Wind resistance and are, therefore,

less desirable to use in windy or gusty Weather. I

Since marksmanship is affected, to a considerable extent, by the familiarity of the individual with the firearm being used, it is objectionable to change to a single barrel or horizontallyalined double barrel type. No two gun frames are identical and usually have different weights, grips and trigger pulls, although being of the same make and style. Any one of these differences, or a combination of slight variations in the same, is generally sufficient to affect ones marksmanship.

Therefore, one object of the invention is to provide an improved firearm of the tilting breech, superimposed barrel type having a double barrel frame and a single barrel assembly whereby the firearm may be used with interchangeable barrels and have substantially the same weight and feel while permitting the elimination of the additional wind resistance when so desired.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved firearm, of the character described, wherein the single barrel assembly is of such construction as to be capable of being readily mounted upon a conventional double barrel frame Without altering the constructionof the frame in any manner whereby said assembly is interchangeable with a conventional double barrel assembly.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved single barrel assembly, of the character described, which may be constructed from a conventional superimposed double barrel assembly or which may be constructed so as to simulate the latter.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved single barrel assembly, of the character described, having means simulating the lower barrel of a superimposed assembly and for mounting the same within a superimposed barrel frame whereby the action of the firearm is substantially unchanged.

A construction designed to carry out the inven- 2 tion will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing,

wherein an example'of the invention is shown,

and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a conventional tiing breech, superimposed barrel firearm,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a barrel assembly, constructed in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the rear end or breech portion of the assembly,

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the forward end of the firearm frame,

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the breech portion of the assembly, and

Fig. 6 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the lower barrel simulating means.

In the drawing, the numeral la designates a tilting breech superimposed firearm or shotgun which is commonly referred to as an over-andunder. The gun includes a frame it having a stock [2 which is preferably provided with a pistol grip 53. A trigger I4, is carried the fram: II for actuating the usual hammer and firing mechanism (not shown). The fore-end of the frame indicated by the numeral 15, serves as a receiver for the rear end or breech portion of a barrel assembly l5 which includes pair of axially alined, superimposed barrels l? and 28, a sight bead l9 and an anti-haze bridge 23. A pair of screws or pins 2| are carried by the frame fore-end 15 for pivotally supporting the barrel assembly [6 and a fore-grip or fore-stock 22 is removably attached to the lower barrel It! for maintaining the connection between said assem bly and frame fore-end. The assembly is locked in its closed position by a suitable latch 23 carried by the frame. The foregoing elements are more or less conventional and, in themselves, form no part of the present invention.

A barrel assembl 2 4, constructed in accordance with the invention is shown in Fig. 2, and includes an upper barrel 25, a sight bead 2% and an anti-haze bridge 27. A breech m mber or element 28, substantially identical to that of the conventional assembly 15, is connected to the rear end of the barrel 25. A conventional shell or cartridge ejector 29 extends longitudinally of the element 28 and is slidably mounted in a suitable keyway. .ihe rear end of the ejector 29 is provided with the usual arcuate finger 3!! which overlies the end of the barrel 3 in concentric relation to its bore 3!. As shown by the dotted line in Fig. 5, the usual ejector for the lower barrel is omitted or removed. For actuating the ejector 29, a suitable arm 32 is pivotall supported by the frame fore-end l5, and coacts with mechanism (not shown) carried by the fore-grip 22. A pair of semi-circular recesses 33 are formed in the forward end of the breech element, on either side thereof, for receiving the pins 2! so as to pivotally support the barrel assembly.

A cylindrical member or tube 34 underlies the barrel 25 and has its rear end portion secured and engaging within the breech element 28. Although the member 34 ma be solid, the same has been illustrated as being hollow and having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the barrel 25 for engaging within the foregrip 22. If desired, the member 34 may be formed by cutting off the forward portion of the lower barrel of a conventional barrel assembly and closing the ends thereof by plugs 35. and 36, or by other suitable means. The rear plug 33 has an axial recess or depression 3'5 for accommodating the lower firing pin (not shown) which is carried by the frame H. A latch or keeper 38 is secured to the lower portion of the member for cooperating with the lock (not shown) of the fore-stock 22. Manifestly, the member may be of any suitable construction so long as it provides a support for the barrel assembly 2 5. It is desirable to terminate the member adjacent or immediately forwardly of the fore-stock so as to provide a neat, finished appearance. the lower barrel of a conventional assembl in appearance and functioningas a support, the member replaces to some extent the weight of said barrel and, if desired, may be additionally weighted.

From the foregoing, it is readily apparent that a novel barrel assembly has been provided. Due to its construction, the assembly is adapted to be used with a conventional superimposed, double barrel frame without making any change in the structure of said frame. Thus, the assembly is readily interchangeable with a conventional superimposed, double barrel assembl and may be .used whenever it is desirable to reduce the cross-wind resistance of the assembly. Since the member 34 simulates the lower barrel of a conventional assembly, the feel of the firearm In addition to simulating remains substantially unchanged and the assemblies are so alike that the ,usenof said firearm is not conscious of any change or difference of construction. The herein described single barrel assembly provides all of the advantages of a single barrel firearm, which is preferred due to its lightness and balance, as well as the identical trigger pull, stock and length of the superimposed double barrel firearm with which the user is accustomed.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claim, without departing from the spirit of the invention,

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A single barrel assembly for a firearm of the tilting breech type having a frame for receiving and supporting a superimposed double barrel assembly and a cooperating fore-stock including, a full length upper barrel, a lower barrel member underlying and secured to the inner portion of the upper barrel, the barrel member being of such length as to be disposed substantiall wholly in the frame and fore-stock with its outer end terminating at the medial portion of said upper barrel when the barrel assembly is mounted in said frame and said forestock attached thereto, whereby the weight and feel of the breech end of the double barrel assembly is obtained and the cross-wind resistance appreciably reduced.

RUFUS A. KING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 817,937 Saget Apr. 17, 1906 926,456 Behr June 29, 1909 1,114,973 Erikson Oct. 27, 1914 1,674,907 Lindsay June 26, 1928 1,834,544 Klebe Dec. 1, 1931 1,924,656 Ribe Aug. 29, 1933 2,114,821 Thomas Apr. 19, 1938 2,125,956 Roemer Aug. 9, 1938 

